[Griffith]

Chaos-Music - Hey mr. david how are you doing?

I'm doing well, thanks! Been very busy!

Chaos-Music - Let me thank you for taking the time to do this interview, its a great honor for us.

The honor is all mine - thank you!

Chaos-Music - First can you give us a short picture of your mighty band ?

In short - we're a bunch of metalheads from the Bay Area trying to stay true to our art.

Chaos-Music - So lets talk about your early days, Did you have some member changes at the beginning of Heathen? When did you complete your line up?

In 1986, I stepped into rehearsals and completed the "Pray for Death" demo with Lee Altus, Doug Piercy, Carl Sacco, and Eric Wong. This lineup lasted for about a year until Mike 'Yaz" Yastremski replaced Eric Wong on bass. Soon after, we signed a recording contract with Combat Records and
recorded the album "Breaking the Silence" with Ronnie Montrose producing.

Chaos-Music - About the name of the band... How would you interpret it and to what does it refer?

Sam Cress - the band's first singer came up with the name. It can refer to many things. I think of it as anti-establishment.

Chaos-Music - Can you tell us about the influences that made you want to become a singer?

As a kid, I was influenced by the Beatles, Deep Purple and many others like Black Sabbath. I started playing the drums at 4 years old and knew from that early age that I wanted to be involved in music.

Chaos-Music - What's your opinion about the current Bay Area Thrash scene? And what do you think about the evolution of this scene?

There's not much of a scene anymore, although there is tremendous talent in the area and a new wave of young fans on the scene. It's inspiring to see a new generation of metal heads listening to old school metal.

Chaos-Music - What bands have been the biggest influence or inspiration for Heathen?

Bands like Exodus, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Scorpians, Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, etc...

Chaos-Music - Please can you tell us your favourite metal CDs until now.?

Master of Puppets, Metalchurch, Restless and Wild, Screaming for
Vengeance, Virgin Killer.

Chaos-Music - Tell us a bit more about the recordings of your first album "Breaking The Silence", like where you recorded the album, how you decided on a studio and producer, who came up with the cover artwork and if it was difficult for you to decide which songs you're gonna record for it?

We recorded the album at Music Annex in Palo Alto, CA with Ronnie Montrose who recommended the studio. The cover art was my idea and we found a local artist named Kent Mathieu to create the vision. We didn't have trouble choosing songs, although, "feed the children" didn't make the record.

Chaos-Music - Please tell me about your lyrics too. As far as I know, politics has played an important role in the lyrics, hasn't it?

Somewhat, we always try to just write from our point of view on things, including politics. Although songs like "Goblins Blade" are straight fiction and just for fun.

Chaos-Music - Which bands had (still have) the biggest influence on your own songwriting?

I just try to write what's inside of me.

Chaos-Music - How did Paul Baloff 's death affect you ?

He was a friend for years, so that is always going to hurt. Paul died too young and that can give you perspective on your own life and how not to take things for granted.

Chaos-Music - In all those years, did you ever hear a band cover a Heathen song?

Yes, and that is quite strange but flattering!

Chaos-Music - In your opinion, where's the difference and similarity between the Bay Area and German Thrash Metal scene? In your opinion which German Thrash bands were the greatest ones?

That's a good question - I wish I could have hung out in the German Thrash scene more to really answer that. I do know that the Germans love their metal and have been huge supporters of Heathen from the beginning. My favorite German thrash metal band is Destruction.

Chaos-Music - Did you listen to the last EXODUS album?

Not yet.

Chaos-Music - Although, bands like MEGADETH, FORBIDDEN, CORONER, WATCHTOWER,TESTAMENT, HEATHEN were already well known around 1986/90, I want to know if you were already aware of the existence of bands like ATHEIST ,DEATH,PESTILENCE,CYNIC whose influence on the extreme metal was huge.

Around that time, I was aware of these bands, but their style was much different than ours.

Chaos-Music - Are you guys working on releasing a new record soon? If so, what can we expect?

Yes, we are planning to record early in the new year and get it out to the fans as quickly as possible. The demo is available for preview on our website www.heathenmetal.com

Chaos-Music - What about your Live shows, Which shows have marked your mind the most?

I recall most vividly the '91 European shows in Barcelona, Glasgow and Berlin as well as the the WOA in '02.

Chaos-Music - Which bands would you like to tour with if given the opportunity?

I would love to tour with Metallica, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne and the Scorpians.

Chaos-Music - Last year Kreator played here,it was a great show ,did you hear something about that GIG?

I read about it in Rock Hard Magazine, heard it was crazy.

Chaos-Music - If Someone Invite you to play here in morocco , what will be your answer ?

Hell yeah...

Chaos-Music - What would you say to a young upstart Thrash metal band?

Stay in school, it's tough out there. But don't ever give up on your dreams.

Chaos-Music - These last words are yours, Feel free.

Thank you so much for this interview - I (we) are honored to know that we can touch fans in Morocco. We owe everything to our fans who help keep the music alive. Keep watching for the new album to come out and check out the website for upcoming tour dates. We are looking forward to 2007 and hope to see you out there on the road. Peace for all and metal forever, Amen!

David White

Chaos-Music - So thank you so much mr David for taking the time to make this interview.We appreciate that. Cheers and I wish you all the best of luck!
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